If you haven’t seen the Limited Run Spyderco Stretch knife featuring Nishijin Glass Fiber handle scales yet, it definitely warrants a look see. Two variations of this amazing folder exist. There is one with black Nishijin glass handle scales and one with blue Nishijin glass handle scales. Both are limited run knives of 600 pieces.

The handle scales on these knives was inspired by the intricate Nishijin weaving process that started over 1200 years ago in Japan. Nishijin is a district in Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto, Japan. There, so many years ago, a special weaving process began that used many different colored yarns and wove them together into decorative designs. A very tedious procedure, the practice yielded some spectacularly beautiful designs. The glass fiber handle scales on these knives are an homage to this famous process from Nishijin.

The actual process of glass fiber manufacturing is part chemical and part mechanical. Various strands of glass and carbon are drawn into fibers, then heated to expel most of the non-carbon atoms in a process referred to as carbonization. This results in filament like fibers of woven glass and carbon that are then used to create laminated sheets. These sheets are incredibly lightweight and yield some amazing patterns. They are also very wear resistant. The specialized Nishijin process is a relatively new weave that makes some circular as well as swirled patterns instead of the classic horizontal and vertical patterns that have been the norm in glass fiber manufacturing for so long. These special limited run Stretch knives use this special Nishijin glass fiber for the handle scales giving them durability as well a stunning appearance.

The Spyderco Stretch started way back in the 80’s as a small Hunter model. Over time, it “stretched” into a drop point folder with all the hallmarks of a classic Spyderco knife. The blade on these limited run knives are manufactured from Damascus steel. They feature the same modified drop point and fully flat grind with an arcing belly that you expect from a Spyderco Stretch. A small Spyder logo sits right beside the Spyder Hole. The blade opens smooth using the Spyder Hole and locks into the open position with a powerful spine lock. The pocket clip is four position.